I totally have to qualify this by saying that when I started thinking about all of the 2008 movies I saw, I realized that I only saw about 20 and that there were a ton of movies that I wanted to see, but haven’t gotten to yet. So, take this list with a grain of salt — or a grain of grain if you don’t like salt. It will probably change once I see more 2008 films, but all of these I at least enjoyed a lot.  Please feel free to tell me which great films I missed out on. Seriously. I want to know.

10. Cassandra’s Dream
I know what you’re thinking… Colin Ferrell, really!? Yeah, he doesn’t make this film awful, and for that it deserves a Top Ten appointment. Plus, Woody Allen paid me $50 to have it on here…

9. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
A small qualifier to start out with again: I’m an Arrested Development fanboy and have, thus, been dealing with a non-sexual crush on Michael Cera. He was really funny in the movie, and I probably would have liked it even more if I was 18… and not watching it with my mom…

8.Get Smart
Well, I wasn’t around for the original show, but this film was as enjoyable as Hollywood remakes can be, I suppose. Steve Carrell was surprisingly funny, and the movie bested my expectations by a long shot. Plus, it had Bill Murray in it, which means that it’s better than 98 percent of the movies made last year.

7. The Foot Fist Way
Now, I wasn’t blown away by this movie as much as Will Ferrell and all of those Hollywood folks. But to be fair, if I was Will Ferrell and had made as many mediocre comedies as he has, then I would get pretty excited about this movie, too. It does have some genuinely funny moments, and for the fact that it gave Danny McBride a well-deserved leading man role, I am a fan.

6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
This is another entry from the Apatow clan, and I’m not a fan of everything they’ve done. BUT this movie was actually pretty funny, and I have to admit I’m a sucker for movies when the total loser guy gives the proverbial finger to the pretty girl, then runs to the loving arms of the other pretty girl. And the Dracula puppet musical… classic.

5. Son of Rambow
This one came from across the pond and is one of those heartwarming movies that make you feel good all over. While it wasn’t perfect, it was actually really well done, and I did feel good all over.

4. Role Models
Believe it or not, this movie was pretty good! I try to stay pretty far away from anything Seann William Scott does, but this movie is a hilarious vehicle for one of the most under-rated actors in H-wood: Paul Rudd. He totally carries this movie, and it definitely gets bonus points for the epic battle scene in the end.

3. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
This is the best film that Woody Allen put out this year. In fact, it’s one of the better ones he’s done in a long time. The casting was perfect, and Penelope Cruz is a fireball here. She totally takes the movie over when her character is introduced. The cinematography was beautiful, and the script was different for Woody — but incredible nonetheless. I think it deserves bonus points for the weird narration, and for introducing me to the talented Rebecca Hall.

2. Snow Angels
This one probably wins the award for saddest movie I can ever remember seeing. It is also in the running for one of the most beautiful movies I’ve seen. David Gordon Green is a master at what he does, and this is proof.

1. The Dark Knight
OK. No big surprise here. But let’s be honest, this movie was really, really great. No matter how many movies I would have watched this year, I still think this one would be at the top. It’s Hollywood at its best. It’s artful, intense, action-packed and chock-full of grandeur. Too bad they don’t churn movies like this out all the time instead of the standard fare.

7 Responses to “Scott’s Top 10 Film List of 2008”

1. On 12/29/08 12:26 PM, Blake Garris said:

   

   I think there’s some rule where you have to see Iron Man, Choke, Wall-E, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Australia, Frost/Nixon, The Wrestler, Milk, Synecdoche, New York, and Doubt before making a Top 10 movie list.

2. On 12/29/08 12:56 PM, Jamison said:

   

   Haha. I agree with Blake. Although, I did not like Choke. I also really didn’t like The Foot Fist Way. A friend of mine raved about it, but when I saw it myself I hardly laughed.

   Another Good Colin Ferrell movie that came out this year was In Bruges. He’s fantastic in that one.

   I’m pretty sure that Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is tied with Wanted for worst movie I saw/spent money on in 2008. I felt it was a movie that works completely on its charm and at no point in the film was I charmed. It just ended up annoying me.

   Two movies that I feel deserve more credit during this top ten season are Speed Racer and Cloverfield. Both were good examples of great genre films that deserve at least a few honorable mentions.

3. On 12/29/08 11:27 PM, joe said:

   

   yes! Son Of Rambow! but yeah as they said, there’s still Frost/Nixon, Doubt, and Milk to be seen.

4. On 12/30/08 1:04 AM, Scott Kirkpatrick said:

   

   Unfortunately, due to a lack of funds this year, I didn’t make it to the theater as much as Blake. I did just get Wall-E from Netflix and it was pretty outstanding. Although, I happen to think Iron Man is fairly overrated.

5. On 12/30/08 12:16 PM, Ryan @ Milkweed Records said:

   

   PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

6. On 12/30/08 1:18 PM, rojas said:

   

   Totally agree about Role Models..didn’t think it would be funny but it was hilarious.

7. On 12/30/08 1:23 PM, Blake Garris said:

   

   I didn’t see half the movies I mentioned. Thus I didn’t make a list for that same reason.

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